Chris Haskell and I are working together to plan 3D GameLab, a summer camp for kids on the campus of Boise State. We’re planning a four week camp where teens will explore a variety of 3D games, their applications for learning (horror–learning during summer game camp?!), and create a guide for other kids, teachers, and parents on kids using 3D games and virtual worlds.
Would love to hear opinions about what platforms would be useful and/or most popular with teens (note xbox games are missing from the list, “T” rated or below only). And we’re especially interested in a framework for “learning” while kids are involved in 3D gameplay (or afterward via reflection). Could apply the New Media Literacy skills as a frame, or Jim Gee’s work, any other ideas?
Lisa Dawley is a Professor of Educational Technology at Boise State University
This is a great idea especially given the increasing use of Virtual Worlds by teens and pre-teens, and my prediction that online learning in the future will include 3D learning environments.
For the SL Teen Grid, I recommend reviewing the following initiatives:
• Ramopos Islands and the work of Peggy Sheehy – http://ramapoislands.edublogs.org/
• Skoolaborate – http://www.skoolaborate.com/
For World of Warcraft:
• World of Warcraft in School http://wowinschool.pbworks.com/
For the 8 to 14 year old age group, I highly recommend Quest Atlantis – http://atlantis.crlt.indiana.edu/
In addition, to what you already have – have you considered adding Metaplace? This would be more of allowing students to build games or may just visit casual games in Metaplace that they could build in the future. 3D squared is doing work with teens in there. http://www.3dsquared.org/
Cool, thanks for the link, Kae! I think this could be a great solution for some of our teens. I like that it’s easy to login, use, and build without a lot of time spent in learning the interface. Thanks for sharing!
Jeff Boyer at University of Florida has done something similar for years. You might want to contact him to see what he does jboyer@ufl.edu.